CTA, in collaboration with various partners, participated in a number of panels at the European Development Days 2017, which took place from the 7th to 8th of June in Brussels (Tour et Taxis). These panels addressed key subjects concerning the future of agriculture: Trade & Investment, Women entrepreneurs and Youth in Agribusiness. Over the space of two days, CTA brought to the forefront of the development community the most pressing issues affecting the agriculture and rural development in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Samoa's minister of agriculture, La'aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata'ivao Schmidt, confirmed in Parliament that negotiations with the World Bank to fund the project should be finalised in the near future. The minister said construction of the abattoir at Nu'u should start before the end of the year, with $US1.2 million from the World Bank allocated for the project. The government said the new abattoir would improve meat hygiene for domestic consumption and ultimately satisfy international regulations. The minister said the facility would take over the processing of all meat before it can be sold commercially and any products not processed through the abattoir will be banned from the commercial market.

"This year, the citrus harvest started season in April. The season is estimated to last until October. According to relevant data, South African citrus imports had a total value of 80 million USD in 2016, and seized a top position among citrus fruits on the Chinese import market. In comparison to 2015, imports have grown by nearly 24%. Forecasts show that there will be a larger amount of exports of South African citrus products, and also that the price will be somewhat higher this year."Being an international fruit trading company, Berda Fruit has almost more than 20 years of operational experience in importing fresh fruits from South Africa.

Minister of National Development and Planning Lucky Mulusa has called on the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to re-examine trade policy with their EU counterpart. Mulusa who is leading a high-power Zambian delegation to the European Development Days (EDD 2017) Conference in Brussels, Belgium said it was time developing countries migrated from rhetoric to discussing issues that are more practical with potential to create wealth for least developed Countries. He said although trade remains a key component in discussions surrounding EU-ACP relationship post-Cotonou Agreement, it was critical for Africa to emphasise value addition as one of the drivers of job and wealth creation.